GoDaddy.com Snatches up Domain Names you search

On Saturday, 4 days ago, we went onto GoDaddy.com's "who is" and did a search on a three domain names.  They weren't general names, premium names, short names, or anything special.  Just three regular URLs.

Today, Wednesday, we go in to purchase webservices for those domain names from GoDaddy and discover that all three names have been snatched up.  Guess who snatched them up?  GoDaddy.com

They are now offering to sell them for $800 each via their auction process.

Is this legal?  Yes.  Is it the end of the world? No.  But, I consider it to be very unethical.  The typical thing you'll hear is "You snooze, you lose."  But, we didn't snooze.  We didn't tell anyone these names.  We didn't call GoDaddy or ask that the names be reserved or anything.  We just did a simple search.  They simply monitor their whois search engine and snatch up any name they think the person is serious about.  Then, they put it up for auction.

I have 7 other websites with GoDaddy.  I looked those names up right before ordering them.  They all have good traffic.  And, tomorrow, I will move them out of Godaddy.com control.  I don't like dealing with unethical idiots.

If you want to find out if a domain name is available, don't use GoDaddy's Domain Availability Service.  They will legally 'steal' the name out from under you and then legally try to 'extort' an exhorbitant price for them.

Buy Beware!